Coagulation Device Comprising an Energy Control

ABSTRACT

A device ( 10 ) for tissue coagulation, in particular for fusion, encompasses an electric source ( 18 ), which is connected or which can be connected to electrodes ( 12, 13 ) for influencing biological tissue ( 11 ) with current. A control unit ( 22 ) controls the source ( 18 ) during phases I and II of the tissue fusion. These phases I and II correspond to operating phases I, II and III of the device ( 10 ). During operating phase I, a monitoring unit ( 23 ) determines the energy E 1 , which is applied into the tissue ( 11 ). In the subsequent operating phases II and III, the control unit ( 22 ) controls the source ( 18 ) by means of the determined energy E 1 . Such a device turns out to be particularly reliable and to be robust in use.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. 13169105.7 filed May 24, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully rewritten herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for tissue coagulation, in particular for tissue fusion.

BACKGROUND

Various electrosurgical methods, the effect of which is based on a controlled denaturation of biological tissue, are in use.

For example, EP 1 862 137 A1 discloses a coagulation device comprising a generator, which feeds two electrodes, between which biological tissue is seized. During the coagulation, the tissue runs through a first phase I, during which the tissue impedance decreases considerably, and a second phase II, during which the tissue impedance increases again. To determine the tissue impedance, provision is made for a sensor circuit, which transmits a query signal, so as to determine the initial tissue impedance and so as to subsequently define a certain trajectory for the desired course of time of the tissue impedance. The query signal is formed by means of an electric pulse, by means of which a tissue characteristic is measured. The measured tissue characteristic can be energy, power, impedance, current, voltage, electric phase angle, reflected power or temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,216,223 B2 also deals with the coagulation of tissue. The tissue impedance is initially measured during an HF activation of electrodes. Over the course of time, the minimum of the impedance is established. Starting at this point, a reference value curve is generated for the desired impedance increase and a target value is calculated for the impedance. Once the latter has been reached, the HF generator is turned off. The turn-off is followed by a cooling phase, the length of which is also provided by the reference value curve. The fusion is concluded with the end of the cooling phase.

The thermofusion according to U.S. Pat. No. 8,034,049 B2 is also controlled by means of the initial tissue impedance. In phase I of the thermofusion, the course of the impedance is measured in response to current, which is kept constant, for example. The initial impedance, the decrease of the impedance, the minimum of the impedance or the increase of the impedance are derived from this. Other activation parameters are generated from this information.

EP 2 213 255 B1 describes the control of the energy in response to a thermofusion. A state variable SV, which indicates the decrease or increase of the impedance, is generated for this purpose. A reference value trajectory is provided for the impedance. The energy input is controlled such that the desired chronological course of the impedance is approximated. For this purpose, the energy input is coupled or countercoupled as a function of the state variables SV to the impedance.

EP 2 394 593 A1 describes the measuring of the impedance during the thermofusion. Provision is made to check, whether, after a certain minimum time has lapsed, a minimum impedance has been reached. As soon as this is the case, the activation is concluded.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,498 B2 discloses a method for thermofusion, in the case of which the chronological course of the tissue impedance is determined during the application of HF voltage. The end of the first phase and the duration of the second phase are defined accordingly by means of the course of the impedance.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,147,485 B2 also uses the monitoring of the tissue impedance for regulating the thermofusion. An impedance trajectory is calculated from the minimum of the tissue impedance and the impedance increase.

U.S. 2010/0179563 A1 and U.S. 2011/0160725 A1 also determine the tissue impedance or the change thereof for controlling or regulating the electrosurgical process.

The local state of tissue is characterized by the local specific tissue impedance. Even though the determination of the impedance between two electrodes provides an indication for the state and thus for the treatment progress of the tissue as a whole, the local specific tissue impedance, however, is not determined. This can lead to incorrect conclusions in the case of inhomogeneous tissue.

SUMMARY

It is the task of the invention to create an alternative device for tissue coagulation.

The device according to the invention serves the purpose of tissue coagulation and, if necessary, also tissue fusion. For this purpose, an electric source is connected or can be connected to electrodes for influencing biological tissue with current. The electric source can be a source for direct current or alternating current, preferably HF current. Preferably, the source is embodied in a controllable manner, so as to be able to control the size of the output current and/or of the output voltage. For this purpose, said source is connected to a control unit. The latter includes a monitoring unit, which is connected to the source. In particular, the monitoring unit is connected to the output of the source, to which the electrodes are connected as well. In the alternative, the monitoring unit can be connected to the electrodes. The monitoring unit thus determines at least an electric variable, which characterizes the energy, which was output from the source to the electrodes and thus from the electrodes to the tissue during a first operating phase. The first operating phase corresponds to phase I of the tissue coagulation, during which the tissue resistance decreases and passes through a minimum.

For example, the monitoring unit can determine the current power and can integrate it during the first operating phase, so as to establish the output energy. It is advantageous in particular, if the monitoring unit determines the active power, which is output by the electrodes. By means of integration, the active energy, which was converted thermally in the tissue, is established from this. The energy, which was input into the tissue in the first operating phase, is used to control the second operating phase. The latter corresponds to phase II of the tissue coagulation, during which the tissue resistance increases and the tissue dries by boiling tissue fluid.

In the alternative, the apparent power, which, however, includes idle power portions, can be determined. If said idle power portions are known or constant, the apparent power and thus the total apparent energy, which was output, can also be used to control the second operating phase.

The control unit controls the source in the second operating phase by means of the energy (active energy or apparent energy), which was established during the first operating phase. It is ensured through this that the energy quantity applied in the second operating phase is adapted to the size of the tissue area, which is determined and influenced by the electrodes. The cells, which are open in the first phase I, release tissue fluid. In the second phase II, said tissue fluid is evaporated by drying the tissue. By determining the energy, which was applied in the first operating phase, a parameter is available, by means of which phase II can be controlled such that the entire tissue, which was influenced electrosurgically in phase I, is coagulated evenly.

It is advantageous, if the control unit operates the source in the first operating phase I by means of a regulated current. At the onset, it is thereby possible to provide a chronologically increasing current as well as a constant current in the further course of the operating phase I. This results in a heat-up of the tissue and in a heat-up of the electrodes. Thermal tissue denaturation results in a decrease of the tissue impedance, which can be between 2 Ohm and 40 Ohm, for example. Due to vapor formation and beginning drying of the tissue, the impedance can increase again during operating phase I, until the end of phase I is recognized. Various recognition criteria can be used for this purpose. For example, the relationship between voltage and current at the source and thus the tissue impedance can increase beyond a threshold value. In the alternative, it can be used as recognition criterion, if the relationship between voltage and current at the source, that is, the tissue impedance, passes through a minimum. As a further alternative, it can be used as recognition criterion that the voltage at the source exceeds a threshold value. As a further alternative, it can be used as recognition criterion that the current, which is to be kept constant by the source, falls below a threshold value, because the current regulating circuit formed by the control unit and the source leaves its control range. This can take place, when the source has reached its maximum voltage or another voltage limit. In the alternative, the speed of the change of the tissue resistance (relationship between voltage and current at the source) can also be used as turn-off criterion, for example in that a limit is determined for the increase speed of the tissue impedance and the reaching thereof is monitored.

In any event, the energy applied so far is stored at the end of the operating phase I. The progress of further controlling operating phase II is derived from this energy value. In particular, the duration of operating phase II can be defined according to the energy value from operating phase I. The turn-off criterion, that is, the end of a subsequent operating phase III, can also be defined by means of the energy value determined in the first operating phase. The control parameters, that is, the duration of operating phase II and the turn-off criterion, that is, the end of operating phase III, are thus functions of the energy measured in operating phase I. Preferably, the transition from operating phase I to operating phase II takes place continuously, that is, without abrupt change of the current supplied to the biological tissue and/or without abrupt change of the voltage applied to the tissue and/or without abrupt change of the power output to the tissue.

In operating phase II, the control unit preferably operates the source in an impedance-controlled manner as reference value of the impedance increase. A value of above 100 Ohm per second is recommended for the tissue impedance. The specific slow increase of the impedance causes a stabilization of the evaporation of tissue fluid. The vapor formation takes place evenly and in a spatially distributed manner. The desired chronological course of the impedance can have a constant increase or also a variable increase. Preferably, the control unit defines the chronological length of operating phase II as a function of the energy determined in the first operating phase. The second operating phase is concluded, when the time t₂ has elapsed. The third operating phase III follows (optionally). During the latter, a constant voltage is preferably applied to the biological tissue.

The end of the third operating phase III can be defined in that the minimum treatment time has elapsed and an energy E_(tot) has been reached. The energy E_(tot) can be defined as a function of the energy E₁ determined in the first operating phase. The minimum treatment time t_(min) can also be determined by the energy E₁. In the alternative, the operating phase III can be concluded, when the maximum treatment time has elapsed. The latter, in turn, can be defined as a function of the minimum treatment time and thus also as a function of the energy E₁ determined in the first operating phase. Further turn-off criteria, which in each case are a function of the energy E₁, can be defined.

During the course of the treatment, it may happen that treatment parameters change. For example, inadvertent temporary loosening of the electrodes from the biological tissue (opening of fusion clamps), seeping tissue fluid, such as blood or rinsing fluid, can influence the process. It may thus become necessary that a larger quantity of energy and longer application time becomes necessary, than was originally derived from the energy E₁. To attain proper fusion in such cases, the current power can be monitored during the second (and/or third) operating phase. Provided that the power within a monitoring time interval leaves a predetermined window of minimum power P_(min) and maximum power P_(max) for a non-negligibly short period of time, the application time, that is the times t₂ and t₃, as well as calculating parameters t_(min) and/or t_(max) can be lengthened accordingly.

Further details of embodiments of the invention follow, from the drawing and/or from the following description of an illustrative example:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the device according to the invention in schematic illustration.

FIG. 2 shows a control unit for the device according to FIG. 1, in a sectional schematized block diagram and

FIG. 3 shows time diagrams for explaining the function of the control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a device 10 for coagulating biological tissue 11, which can be a hollow vessel or also any other biological tissue, for example. In the following example, a blood vessel is illustrated as tissue 11, which is to be closed by means of coagulation, that is, a fusion of the walls of the vessel, which are located opposite one another, is to be carried out. Two electrodes 12, 13, which can seize the tissue 11 between one another and which can also stress it mechanically, for example by means of compression, serve this purpose. The mechanical structure of the corresponding instrument is not illustrated in detail in FIG. 1. For example, the electrodes 12, 13 can be the branches of a bipolar fusion instrument.

The electrodes 12, 13 are connected to a feeding device 15 via a line 14. For this purpose, the line 14 encompasses two leads 16, 17, for example, to which the device 15 supplies or can supply high-frequency current.

For this purpose, the device 15 encompasses a source 18, for example in the form of a controllable HF generator 19. The latter can be supplied with operating voltage via a power supply 20 and a power connector 21 via a mains power supply.

The HF generator 19 and/or the power supply 20 are embodied so as to be controllable. At their corresponding controls inputs, a control unit 22, which controls or regulates in particular the output of electric power through the HF generator 19, is connected, as is illustrated by means of arrows. For this purpose, the control unit 22 includes a monitoring unit 23, which determines the electric variables of the electric energy, which is supplied to the electrodes 12, 13. In particular, the monitoring unit 23 is equipped to determine and integrate the electric power supplied to the electrodes 12, 13 at least temporarily, so as to establish the energy, which is supplied during a time interval. The monitoring unit 23 can encompass a voltage block 24 for monitoring the voltage applied at the clamps 12, 13. In addition, the monitoring unit 23 can encompass a current block 25 for establishing the size of the current, which is supplied to the electrodes 12, 13. The control unit 22 can furthermore encompass a module 26 for defining the conclusion of a first operating phase I, wherein the module receives at least one output signal from the voltage block 24 or from the current block 25 or a signal derived from the output signals thereof for recognizing the end of the operating phase.

In FIG. 2, the control unit 22 is illustrated in a schematically simplified manner and only in excerpts. The current block 25 determines the current I_(ACT), which flows through the tissue 11. The actual voltage U_(ACT), which is applied to the tissue 11, is determined by means of the voltage block 24. The power P_(ACT), which is actually supplied to the tissue 11, is calculated from both variables, at least temporarily. The power P_(ACT) can be the determined active power or also the apparent power, which is supplied to the electrodes 12, 13. A corresponding block serves the purpose of calculating the power P_(ACT) or for determining it otherwise.

The control unit 22 can furthermore encompass a current default block 28, which provides a current I_(REF) as a function of time and/or situation. Likewise, provision can be made for a voltage default block 29, so as to provide a desired voltage U_(REF). The current default block 28 and the voltage default block 29 can be controlled by an impedance block 30, which defines a desired relationship between the voltage U_(REF) and the current I_(REF) as a function of time or situation, for example so as to define a desired tissue resistance R_(G) or a desired chronological course thereof.

The reference-actual deviations for the current I_(ACT) and the voltage U_(ACT) are in each case formed in corresponding differential forming blocks 31, 32 and are supplied to a processing module 33. The latter controls the generator 19.

The processing module 33 furthermore includes the module 26 for recognizing various operating phases. This module 26 can obtain at least the actual current I_(ACT) and/or the actual voltage U_(ACT) or a value, which is derived from these variables, as input variable (via non-illustrated signal paths).

An energy block 34 for determining the energy supplied to the tissue 11 is connected to the block 27 for establishing the power. Said energy block integrates the measured power P_(ACT) for a period of time, which is provided by the processing module 33, and supplies the integral to the processing block 33.

It is pointed out that the blocks 27 to 32 as well as 34 can also be part of the processing module 33.

The further design of the device 15 and in particular of its control unit 22 follows from the following description of the time behavior thereof:

It is assumed that living, non-denaturized tissue 11, is initially seized between the electrodes 12, 13. At its activation input 35, the device 15 now receives the signal for coagulation and, if applicable, for fusion of the biological tissue 11. This corresponds to the starting point or activation onset t₀, respectively, which is noted in FIG. 3. Operating phase I initially starts with a partial phase Ia. In the latter, the current I_(ACT) is brought to a desired current value of 4 A, for example, in a controlled manner. The current can thereby be brought from an initial value, such as 1 A, for example, to the reference value of 4 A, for example, within a period of time t_(1a). This can take place in a linear ramp: the time for this can be between 200 ms and 2 s. Preferably, the effective value of the current is used as measuring variable. The tissue resistance R_(G) decreases from an initial value to a minimum value of between 2 Ohm and 40 Ohm, for example, during this phase or also completely or partially in a later operating phase Ib. Due to the increase of the current, the voltage U_(ACT) increases during the time period t_(1a). During this time, the current I_(ACT) is preferably increased in the form of a ramp. For example, the peak voltage between the electrodes 12, 13 can be measured as measuring value for the voltage U_(ACT). In operating phase I, the current I_(ACT) is then held constant at the value i_(1b) during a further partial phase Ib. The control unit 22 thereby operates as current regulating circuit for keeping the value i_(1b) constant.

During the first partial phase Ia or during the second partial phase Ib, the tissue resistance R_(G) passes through a minimum, so as to then increase again. If the tissue resistance minimum is already reached in the first partial phase Ia, the partial phase Ib can be skipped and a direct transition into operating phase II can be made. The power limit of the generator 19 might possibly be reached thereby, so that the current regulating circuit is no longer able to bring the current I_(ACT) into conformity with the desired current I_(REF). Towards the end of operating phase I, the current thus decreases. Depending on the embodiment, this decrease of the current i_(1b) or also the current differential value (I_(REF)−I_(ACT)), which is formed by the differential forming block 31, can be used as indicator for the conclusion of operating phase I. It is also possible for the control unit 22 to establish the tissue impedance R_(G) as quotient from U_(ACT) and I_(ACT) and to determine the conclusion of operating phase I, if the tissue resistance exceeds a given threshold. In the alternative, the increase speed for the tissue resistance R_(G) can also be monitored. According to this, the control unit 22 can use the following criteria to recognize operating phase I, either cumulatively or as alternatives:

-   -   detecting the pass-through of the minimum of the tissue         impedance or of the tissue resistance dR/dt=0)     -   falling below a threshold value of the current I_(ACT), for         example 0.5*i_(1b)     -   exceeding a threshold value of the tissue impedance, for example         80 Ohm     -   exceeding a threshold value of the increase speed of the tissue         impedance (dR/dt).

During the entire operating phase I, the energy block 34 integrates the power established by the block 27 and supplies the established value of the energy E₁ to the processing module 33 at the conclusion of operating phase I. The onset and the conclusion of operating phase I are marked by means of the points in time t₀ and t₁. The point in time t₁ is determined by the processing module 33 according to one of the above-mentioned criteria.

Operating phase II starts with the conclusion of operating phase I. Operating phase II preferably starts with the same current I_(ACT), with which operating phase I concluded. In addition, it preferably begins with the same voltage U_(ACT), with which the first operating phase I concluded. Operating criteria are now defined for operating phase II by means of the applied energy E₁, which was established in operating phase I. In operating phase II, the generator 19 is preferably operated in an impedance-regulated manner, that is, the control unit 22 forms a regulator for the tissue impedance. A desired chronological impedance increase A is defined for the tissue impedance. In FIG. 3, the impedance increase A is illustrated as R_(Gref) as desired dashed line over the course of time. The actual impedance increase R_(Gact) can deviate slightly from this. This depends on the control quality of the impedance regulator, which is now formed by the control unit 22. At the same time, the current I_(ACT) decreases during operating phase II, that is, during the period of time t₂, while the voltage U_(ACT) increases. The voltage U_(act) has an upper limit, e.g. 150V (peak value), so that it is avoided that sparks appear and that a cutting effect would thus be caused.

The impedance increase A can be between 50 and 200, preferably 100 Ohm per second. The specific slow increase of the impedance causes a stabilization of the evaporation of the tissue fluid.

Operating phase II is concluded, when the period t₂ has elapsed. The period t₂ can be established from the energy E₁ as follows:

t ₂=2/3(t_(max) −t ₁).

The time t_(max) is thereby the maximum treatment period. The maximum treatment period t_(max) can be calculated from the minimum treatment period, in that a constant defined summand is added, for example:

t _(max) =t _(min)+1.8 s

The minimum treatment period t_(min) can be determined, for example, from the following relationship from the energy E₁:

t _(min)=min{5.4 s; (−38.25 μs*E ₁ ² /J ²+18 ms*E ₁ /J+270 ms)}.

According to this, t_(min) is a defined value of 5.4 s, for example, or which results from calculating the round bracket, depending on which value is less.

With the conclusion of operating phase II, operating phase III begins. In the latter, the voltage U_(ACT) is constantly regulated to the value U₃ for a period of time t₃. The control unit 22 operates as a voltage regulator circuit herein.

During operating phases II and III, which correspond to phase II of the tissue coagulation, the power is integrated further. When this value reaches the total maximum value E_(tot), the treatment is concluded. The total maximum value E_(tot) can be established according to various empirically obtained formulas as a function of the energy E₁, for example as follows:

E _(tot)=45J+2.75*E ₁.

In the alternative, the reaching of the maximum period t₃ of operating phase III can be recognized. This period t₃ can be calculated, for example according to:

t ₃=1/3*(t _(max) −t ₁).

To avoid improper treatments caused by unforeseen changes of the treatment parameters, for example by accidentally opening the fusion clamps, it can additionally be monitored, whether the actual power leaves a performance window from P_(min) and P_(max) within a monitoring time interval, for example during operating phase II and/or III.

A device 10 for tissue coagulation, in particular fusion, encompasses an electric source 18, which is connected or can be connected to electrodes 12, 13 for influencing biological tissue 11 with current. A control unit 22 controls the source 18 during phases I and II of the tissue fusion. These phases I and II correspond to operating phases I, II and III of the device 10. During operating phase I, a monitoring device 23 determines the energy E₁, which is applied into the tissue 11. The control unit 22 controls the source 18 in the subsequent operating phases II and III by means of the determined energy E₁. Such a device turns out to be particularly reliable and to be robust in use.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 device -   11 biological tissue -   12, 13 electrodes -   14 line -   15 device -   16, 17 leads -   18 source -   19 HF generator -   20 power supply -   21 power connector -   22 control unit -   23 monitoring unit -   24 voltage block -   25 current block -   26 module for recognizing operating phases -   U_(ACT) voltage (e.g. peak value) -   I_(ACT) current (e.g. effective value) -   P_(ACT) power -   27 block for establishing power -   28 current default block -   I_(ACT) desired current -   29 voltage default block -   U_(REF) desired voltage -   30 impedance block -   R_(G) tissue resistance -   31, 32 differential forming blocks -   33 processing module -   34 energy block -   35 activation input -   t₀ activation onset -   I first operating phase -   Ia partial phase -   t_(1a) period of the first partial phase -   Ib partial phase -   i_(1a) value of the current I_(ACT) in the partial phase Ia -   i_(1b) value of the current I_(ACT) in the partial phase Ib -   t₁ period of operating phase I -   E₁ energy input into the tissue 11 in phase I -   A impedance increase -   R_(Gref) desired impedance course -   R_(Gact) actual impedance course -   t₂ period of operating phase II -   t_(max) maximum period of treatment -   t_(min) minimum period of treatment -   E_(tot) total maximum value of the energy -   t₃ period of operating phase III -   t_(tot) total period of treatment -   R_(Gmax) threshold value for tissue resistance in operating phase I -   M minimum of the tissue resistance in operating phase I -   U₃ voltage in operating phase III -   P_(max), P_(min) define performance windows for the power P of the     source 18 in operating phases II and/or III 

1. A device (10) for tissue coagulation, the device comprising: an electric source (18), configured to be connected to electrodes (12, 13) for influencing biological tissue (11) with current, a monitoring unit (23), which is connected to the source (18), configured to determine one or both of a current (I_(ACT)) output by the source (18) and a voltage (U_(ACT)) is output by the source (18), a control unit (22), which includes the monitoring unit (23) and which is connected to the source (18) in a controlling manner, the control unit (22) configured to: establish an energy (E1) the source (18) outputs to the electrodes (12, 13) in a first operating phase (I), and control the source (18) as a function of the energy (E1), which is determined in the first operating phase (I), in a subsequent second operating phase (II).
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (22) is interconnected with the source (18) in the first operating phase (I) as a current regulating circuit.
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein at an onset of the first operating phase (I), the control unit (22) is configured to define a chronologically increasing current (i1 a).
 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein during at least a section (Ib) of the first operating phase (I), the control unit (22) is configured to define a constant current (i1 b).
 5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the control unit (22) comprises a module (26) configured to determine a conclusion of the first operating phase (I) using at least one of: a relationship between voltage and current at the source (18) increases beyond a threshold value (R_(Gmax)), the relationship between voltage and current at the source (18) passes through a minimum (M), an increased speed of change in the relationship between voltage and current at the source (18) exceeds a threshold value, the voltage (U_(ACT)) at the source (18) exceeds a threshold value, the current (I_(ACT)) falls below a threshold value.
 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein at an onset of the second operating phase (II), the control unit (22) is equipped to adjust at least one variable of: current (I_(ACT)) from the source (18), voltage (U_(ACT)) at the source (18), output power (P_(ACT)) of the source (18) to a same value the variable had at a conclusion of the first operating phase (I).
 7. The device according to claim 1 wherein in the second operating phase (II), the control unit (22) is configured to define a course of time for changing of a relationship between the voltage (U_(ACT)) at the source (18) and the current (I_(ACT)) supplied by said source.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the course of time encompasses a constant impedance increase (A).
 9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the control unit (22) is configured to define a chronological length (t2) of the second operating phase (II).
 10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the control unit (22) is configured to define a chronological length (t2) of the second operating phase (II) as a function of the energy (E1), which is determined in the first operating phase (I).
 11. The device according to claim 1 wherein directly following the second operating phase (II), the control unit (22) is configured to merge into a third operating phase (III).
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein in the third operating phase (III), the control unit (22) is configured to define and adjust a constant voltage (U3).
 13. The device according to claim 11, wherein in the third operating phase (III), the control unit (22) is configured to define a voltage (U3) of the source (18) to a value determined by the monitoring unit (23) at a conclusion of the second operating phase (II).
 14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit (22) is configured to conclude the third operating phase (III), if: a minimum treatment time (t_(min)) and a given total energy (E_(tot)) have been reached or a maximum treatment time (t_(max)) has elapsed or a maximum energy (E_(max)) has been applied.
 15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit (22) is equipped to monitor a power output by the source (18) in the operating phase (II), so as to extend a time period (t2) for the second or third operating phase (II, III), provided that the power has left a performance window, which is defined between a maximum power (P_(max)) and a minimum power (P_(min)).
 16. A method for applying energy to coagulate tissue, the method comprising: contacting biological tissue with electrodes; determining an energy (El) to output to the electrodes from a source in a first operating phase (I); applying the energy (El) to the biological tissue through the electrodes; controlling application of energy by the source through the electrodes in a second operating phase (II) after the first operating phase (I) as a function of the energy (E1) applied in the first operating phase (I).
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising defining a chronologically increasing current (i1 a) at an onset of the first operating phase (I).
 18. The method of claim 16 further comprising determining a conclusion for the first operating phase (I) using at least one of: a relationship between voltage and current at the source increases beyond a threshold value (R_(Gmax)), the relationship between voltage and current at the source passes through a minimum (M), an increased speed of change in the relationship between voltage and current at the source exceeds a threshold value, the voltage (U_(ACT)) at the source exceeds a threshold value, the current (I_(ACT)) falls below a threshold value.
 19. The method of claim 16 further comprising: controlling application of energy by the source through the electrodes in a third operating phase (III) directly following the second operating phase (II), and in the third operating phase (III), defining a voltage (U3) of the source to a value determined at a conclusion of the second operating phase (II).
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising concluding the third operating phase (III), if: a minimum treatment time (t_(min)) and a given total energy (E_(tot)) have been reached or a maximum treatment time (t_(max)) has elapsed or a maximum energy (Emax) has been applied. 